On occasion I stop and reflect on the recent past. I take
some time and look back at the steps I have taken. I ask myself, do I see
God’s presence in those decisions? Have I made the correct choices? Am I
following where God is leading me? How is your race going? Are you living
your life in such a way as to honor God? Are we winning? Greetings in the
name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In racing only one car receives the checkered flag signifying the
winner. Many run with the goal of winning, but there is only one who
receives the prize. Life is like a race and each one of us must run in such
a way as to win. Not for the prize we receive here but for the reward of
eternal life with God in Heaven.

Do you remember your first win? Wasn’t it fantastic? It seems like
the world stops turning and for that moment you are the center of attention.
It doesn’t matter how many times you win after that there is nothing that
can replace the first time. Wining never gets old. Once we have won we have
the desire to repeat the experience over and over.

I have had the pleasure of sharing many first time wins with
drivers and teams over the years. I never get tired of going to Victory Lane
and shaking the hand of a first timer. I remember one driver at Stafford
Motor Speedway. He worked his way up the ranks from Dare Stocks to Late
Models to SK Modifieds. When he won for the first time in an SK there was
jubilation in Victory Lane , more hugs and high fives than normal. It was
encouraging to share that moment with them.

What does it take to win? Many say it is luck. You have to have
everything right and then the cards have to fall your way. I think God’s
Word has some direction for us in that regard. Paul writes that first we
must prepare and run according to the rules. To prepare and run in a way
that is against the rules disqualifies us for the prize.

1Corinthians 9:24-27; Do you
not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?
Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games
goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but
we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like
a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I
beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I
myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Paul talks about the discipline we must
have to qualify for the prize. As we train for and run the race there will
be many choices we have to make. How we decide will ultimately determine if
we qualify for the prize.

Let’s look at this way. At the next race in the driver’s meeting
they change the rules and it becomes a foot race. The drivers, instead of
using their racecars have to run the same number of laps with their feet.
How many could? I suspect not many. We haven’t prepared to run the race that
way.

You see, even the race we choose to run is a decision. Some of us
choose to run the rat race. We get caught up in all the things of this world
and run a race that doesn’t qualify us for a heavenly home. We need to
choose to run the right race. Jesus said;

Matthew 6:19-21; “Do not
store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and
where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break
in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Jesus meant that we have a choice about
the things we pursue in our lives. We can pursue the temporary things that
fade and pass away or we can pursue the eternal things, the things that will
remain with us forever.

At the end of his life Paul talked about the race he had run;

2Timothy 4:7-8; I have
fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now
there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also
to all who have longed for his appearing.

Paul taught many how to run the race in a
way that honors God. He also was an example to many on how to live a life
that honors God. Who has taught you how to run the race? Who is responsible
for your understanding and knowledge of God? Who is following your example,
good or bad? We all need to be committed to running the race in a way as to
win. Victory comes when we receive the sacrifice Christ made on the cross
for us.

The writer of Hebrews leaves us with these instructions;

Hebrews 12:1-3; Therefore,
since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off
everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run
with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Prepare for and run the race in such a
way as to win! Do not run the wrong race; chose the right way, the way that
leads to the cross. Run in such a way as to qualify for the prize.

THOUGHTS
FROM THE ROAD

WHAT DO YOU MEAN “WELL” - Well? I
know it is a deep subject. Have you ever noticed that words have different
meanings depending on where you are? Well that point became very clear on
our recent trip to Riverhead. Well means something very different in NY than
it does in CT. “Traffic moving well on 495” Translation, you may be able to
take your foot off the brake once in a while.
I guess the difficulty comes in my expectation. I expected well to mean
traffic would be traveling at the speed limit or better. My expectations
went unfulfilled. Well as it related to NYC traffic implies periodically
taking your foot off the break. Now I understand.

Imagine my concern when we left Riverhead, got on the LIE and were
greeted with a sign; “traffic moving well”. Well, well, well, this time we
moved along better than expected. I guess at different times is means
different things. It is a deep subject.

I WANT YOU TO BE PERFECT - We came close a few years ago to
having the RWJM Pace Car tagged by a race car on the track at Riverhead.
That prophecy was fulfilled last Saturday night, the Buzz Chew supplied
Riverhead Pace Car received the love tap from TC. They had to call AAA to
send a wrecker to remove the car from the infield.

I couldn’t help but remember Days of Thunder, “I want you to go out
there and hit the pace car! I want you to be perfect and you’ve hit
everything else.”

THREE FOR THREE - The hot streak continues and the next stop
is NHMS and his debut in a Nationwide car. Ryan Preece won again on the WMT
overcoming adversity bringing home the Flamingo Motorsports #16 in first
place. After being driven over and destroying the left side of the car, he
kept moving and didn’t lose track position. Then he suffered a right from
flat, pitted and the crew did the impossible, changed the tire without
losing a lap. The charge from the back of the pack began and ended in
victory home.

We head to the Magic Mile to see if the streak continues. We are
looking forward to seeing you along the road.
Until next time, be a witness for our Lord with the ministry decals
and apparel. See them at the Show Your Faith Apparel Store at
http://www.rwjm.com/store. Send us your prayer and counseling needs no matter
what part of our racing family you are in, or give us a call. Remember that
God loves you, we love you and